FIRE RESTRICTIONS UPGRADED FOR NATIONAL FOREST AND BLM LANDS IN SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO

Release Date: Jun 20, 2012

DURANGO – As of Wednesday, June 20, 2012, fire restrictions will be upgraded on all public lands managed by the San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office in southwestern Colorado. Restrictions differ for lower and higher elevations, which are divided into two zones depicted on the attached maps.

Higher elevations (Zone 2 on maps) are now under Stage 1 fire restrictions, as follows:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a campfire or other type of fire is limited to permanent fire rings or grates within developed campgrounds (Exceptions: petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices);
• Smoking is limited to an enclosed vehicle or building, or within a 3-foot-wide area cleared of vegetation;
• Chainsaws and other internal-combustion engines must have approved, working spark arresters;
• Welding or use of acetylene and other torches with an open flame is prohibited;
• Use of explosives is prohibited (including fireworks, blasting caps or any incendiary device, which may result in the ignition of flammable material).

Fire restrictions for lower elevations (Zone 1 on maps) have been upgraded to Stage 2, as follows:

• All of the above restrictions are in place, in addition to the following:
o Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire, campfire or woodstove is completely prohibited;
o Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building;
o Use of chainsaws and other internal-combustion engines must be accompanied onsite by a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces weight capacity, and a size 0 or larger round pointed shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.

Maps and information on the restrictions and affected areas is available at National Forest and BLM offices in southwestern Colorado. Maps will also be posted online at:
www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan and www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/sjplc.html.

For more information, contact the San Juan Public Lands Center at 970 247-4874.